Kia Niro Hybrid

SECOND REPORT: Hybrid crossover is perfect for photographer Pete

- Pete Gibson

IT must be hard for car manufacturers when they come to replace a successful model. Admittedly, Kia's first-generation Niro wasn't exactly the biggest-selling vehicle in the world, yet it had its dedicated followers, drawn in by the wide choice of powertrains - hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric - offered across the range.

But as the miles pile on in our Niro Hybrid, I keep catching sight of the Korean car on my drive or in car parks and filling stations, and noting what an effective job Kia did of evolving such a solid formula. It's a larger car than before, with a longer wheelbase that helps to deliver improved cabin space, and yet I think a lot of how it seems to have grown up is down to the styling details more than the overall increase in scale.